Monday...14th Sept 2009

First of all, to my dearest sister, prayer partner, partner-in-ministry...and one of my greatest supporters ever - A blessed birthday to you!!:) *sings birthday song* Ji, thanks for all these years of love, encouragement, joy, cheer and being such a wonderful friend! May you continue to shine for the Lord and serve Him with zeal! I'm really missing you...and hope that we can meet again soon. Either, I fly down to Singapore...or you fly back to Penang. Lotsa love ~ mei.
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Then, I'm filled with thankfulness for something else - coz today is my spiritual birthday!:D Hehe. Exactly 8 years ago from today, I gave my life to Jesus... Many things happened before that... and in the years that preceded... But 2 very dear people I'd like to thank for leading me to the Lord are the 2 sisters who led me through 8 weeks of Bible Study prior to my conversion (they were interns from a seminary, I think... and are missionaries now), laying the firm foundations upon which the towers of my faith are still rising today.

I was in Form 5 then - about to sit for a major exam (SPM), bent on securing a place in a prestigious college and thus, a good medical school, and as many of you know of course - battling eating disorders. The 911 incident that year truly brought much agitation and bewilderment to my soul - and led me to ponder upon the fragility of life. I started thinking about the purpose of my existence. I thought of the scores of people that had died that day, not knowing where they'd go... not knowing where they'd be... etc. There would have had flashbacks of the many events in their life, their loved ones, etc. I don't think they would have had time to rejoice over their life accomplishments (ok, perhaps some did)... rather, many, I feel, would have struggled with the oppressive weight of regrets in those last moments of their lives.

I mean, yeah, sure... regrets over the things you've always wanted to do but never got to do, the places you've wanted to travel to but never had a chance to do so, the luxuries you've always wanted to enjoy but never will, etc - I'm not saying that nobody thought of such stuff! But I knew that if I had been one of those victims trapped under the ruble of the collapsed Twin Towers on 11th September 2009, knowing that I'd breathe my last breath before anyone got to me - my biggest, most painful regret would have been that of not knowing my Creator, the purpose of my life and where I'd be going after I breathed my last breath for the dealing of every sin I've committed throughout my entire life span on earth! And I knew I had many!

It was 3 days after the 911 that I made a decision to accept the gift of salvation Christ had come to give. It's been 8 years since then... and I have never regretted. I'm not saying that life as a Christian is easy and that I had absolutely no problems after that. Life went on with its many problems... but the joy of knowing that God could make me an overcomer through all my difficulties and that He gives me the strength to climb every mountain; as well as discovering His purpose for creating me the way He did - these have truly given me a meaningful life worth living indeed. And to think that I'm living an eternal life too!!!:)

To all who have seen me through the past 8 years with prayers, encouragement, discipleship, etc - you guys are amazing! Thanks so much.